Inclement Weather Policy Questions

Current Status:

A. Weather related announcements that affect the entire County will be made on this website as well as announced on WBFF Fox 45, WMAR, WBALTV, WJZ TV 13 and WBAL 1090 AM. You can also contact your community recreation and parks office to find out your program's operating status.

Q. When are recreation programs canceled due to winter weather?

A. Weekdays

When schools are closed by snow, ice or other severe weather conditions for the entire day or before regular dismissal time, all recreation programs at school-recreation centers as well as Recreation and Parks sites are canceled. You may view the current Baltimore County Board of Education status on their website.

If the snow emergency plan is put into effect after regular school dismissal, all recreation programs are canceled at the time of implementation.

Weekends and Holidays

During a winter or other severe weather event when school is not in session, recreation programs will be canceled with the implementation of the snow emergency plan. Weather related announcements that affect the entire County will be made on this website as well as announced on WBFF Fox 45, WMAR, WBALTV, WJZ TV13 and WBAL 1090 AM.

Q. When may recreation programs resume after being canceled due to winter weather?

A. Weekdays (*see Exception)

If schools open at regular time the day after closing, recreation programs will proceed according to schedule.

If schools open on a delayed basis, recreation programs will resume with the commencement of school.

If schools remain closed:

programs at school-recreation centers are canceled; and

programs at Recreation and Parks sites may resume when the snow emergency plan has been lifted and local staff has received approval to reopen a specific site. Contact your local community recreation and parks office to find out whether your program is operating.

*ExceptionIf schools are closed more than one day as a result of winter or other severe weather, programs conducted at school-recreation centers may resume when the snow emergency plan has been lifted and local staff has received approval to reopen a specific site. Contact your local recreation and parks community office to find out whether your program is operating.

Weekends and HolidaysRecreation programs may resume when the snow emergency plan has been lifted and local staff has received approval to reopen a specific site. Contact your local community recreation and parks office to find out whether your program is operating.

Q. How do I know when the snow emergency plan is in effect?

A. When the snow emergency plan is in effect, there will be an announcement on the upper section of the Baltimore County website.

Q. What happens during a non-winter type weather event, such as a hurricane or tropical storm?

A. This will be treated like a winter weather event in that recreation programs may be canceled should road conditions, power outages, high winds, flooding, etc., warrant that action. Announcements will be posted on this website as well as announced on WBFF Fox 45, WMAR, WBALTV, WJZ TV13, WBAL 1090 AM. You can also contact your local community recreation and parks office to find out whether your program is operating.

Q. How does school closing due to high temperatures affect recreation programs?

A.

Indoor Recreation ProgramsPrograms that are held inside a school or community building will meet if the facility is air-conditioned. If air conditioning is not available, the program will be canceled for the day.

Outdoor Recreation ProgramsEach recreation and parks council and its programs decide on the parameters by which each activity meets during hot weather. Under these weather conditions, coaches and parents are expected to use appropriate judgment in determining the length and type of outdoor activity. Each parent knows their child's health condition and should discuss their concerns with the child’s coach.

A. Determining playability is a very localized issue as the amount and duration of precipitation varies from site to site. Recreation staff will make the decision on playability Contact your local community recreation and parks office to find out whether your program is operating. To ensure countywide consistency in determining whether or not a field or diamond is fit for play, the Department has developed criteria for field playability.

Q. How does lightning and thunder affect outdoor activities?

A. Upon the first sound of thunder or sighting of lightning all in attendance at the outdoor activity should immediately go to their cars or enter a building. No one will be allowed to resume play until 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder or the last sighting of lightning. Recreation staff has complete authority to enforce this policy at a Baltimore County facility. In the absence of recreation staff, volunteer coaches and officials must follow this policy.